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Renovation projects remain popular, but homeowners often need help paying for them

Housing Wire

In response, some consumers have turned to renovation projects to meet their needs. The market for renovation projects is a lucrative one for homebuilders and contractors. The Clever survey found that 85% of respondents spent at least $10,000 on renovations in 2023, including 48% who spent at least $50,000.

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Portrait of a pre-foreclosure peacemaker

Housing Wire

Sandoval said her approach is one that is difficult for banks and mortgage servicers to replicate, not only because of the face-to-face experience she offers but also because of the inherent – and often misguided– distrust that many distressed homeowners have for financial institutions. “There is nothing like that face to face.

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FOA lowers rate, expands HomeSafe Second reverse mortgage into new states

Housing Wire

According to data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York , roughly 750,000 home equity lines of credit ( HELOCs ) were issued to borrowers ages 55 or older in 2023. But FOA contends that HomeSafe Second represents a better value proposition than a traditional HELOC.

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Top lender UWM debuts a 89.99% LTV, cash-out refinance. Is it worth the risk? 

Housing Wire

By offering higher LTVs without charging mortgage insurance, UWM aims to attract more borrowers, including those who need to consolidate student and medical debt or renovate their homes, for example. Optimal Blue data for September showed that rate locks for cash-out refis rose by 6% month over month and 55% year over year.

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A new source of affordable housing inventory: Private seller auctions

Housing Wire

Prior to the four properties he purchased via SmartSale in 2024, all of Richards Auction.com purchases were through online bank-owned (REO) auctions. These are full renos, meaning tear the bathroom out, tear the kitchen out, new bathroom, new kitchen, he said of his approach to renovation.

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Distressed properties signal a slowdown in 2025 housing market

Housing Wire

Proprietary data from the Auction.com marketplace, which accounts for close to half of all properties brought to foreclosure auction nationwide, shows that banks, nonbanks and mortgage servicers selling on the Auction.com platform have slowly lowered their pricing at both foreclosure auctions and bank-owned (REO) auctions over the past six months.

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How non-QM loans boost mortgage originator for success in 2025

Housing Wire

Equity solutions Home renovations and debt consolidation are two avenues toward financial prosperity for borrowers. Bank statement loans Accepting a borrower who doesnt have a traditional 9-5 job can be a challenge for some lenders. Bank Statement loans are designed for self-employed borrowers. Fortunately, theres a solution.